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Finally had a nice day, so we combined a trip to the dentist in the afternoon with a little birding in the morning. Gave me a chance to try out the Meade 2x TeleXtender telecentric Barlow. Works very well. Quite bright and sharp to the edges.
More here, mixed in with shots with the 300/4 Pro + MC-14:https://www.flickr.com/photos/421620...57692407020002
What a great lens that is!

After further testing and shooting I would say the Celestron Ultima 2x is sharper in the center but the Meade Barlow is more even overall. That makes the Meade the better choice for birds, but the Celestron is better for astro. I have, however, been able to squeeze additional magnification out of my 600 triplet by mounting things in this order on the scope:
1. Meade 2x telecentric Barlow.
2. Celestron 2x Barlow adapted and mounted about 120 mm from the sensor.
3. MC-14 (I find it sharper than the EC-14)
My guess is I am at about 5x, but I haven't measured it yet. Here is a crop, roughly 50%, of the Mare Humorum and Gassendi crater.
full sized:https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/864/41...8465b19c_o.jpg
The EQ5 mount is naturally a big help and makes video possible, so this is a stack of only 37 of 588 frames. 16x9 is a PITA format for this sort of thing, but that is all Oly has to offer in video. No idea why...
Same setup on Jupiter under far from ideal air conditions:

Carlos,
It struck my mind I totally forgot to ask about how your trip was. Any good photo results with the scope?
/Tord

Sorry for the late follow up - missed your question!

Trip went well, hot and sunny. Had a feet injury (minor) that impeded me to do lot of hiking, but other that that fine.

Bird wise I had expected to see more, at least quantity wise, not sure why I thought so. But we saw most of what was available. Scope did fine. Took the TS apo 480 and a telenegative, and most of the time that was what I used. For flight shots the 75-300mm was used. as well as in the protected island of Aride, there was not room for the scope and tripod, though I brought it to the island as well.
well enough babble - now the birds:
first pic - our breakfast "window". 2: seychelles sunbird, 3 with the 75-300mm, uncropped. 4 flycatcher. terrible light under the dense forest and bird always high up. best I got. 4 garden friend.

Some really good shots with the scope, clarity and details are top notch. Did you bring it as hand luggage?

Was on a month long trip to south India the past winter, had to compromise on what to bring and regrettably left the scope at home as there was loads of other (non-birding/photo) stuff I was bringing with me.

Some really good shots with the scope, clarity and details are top notch. Did you bring it as hand luggage?

Was on a month long trip to south India the past winter, had to compromise on what to bring and regrettably left the scope at home as there was loads of other (non-birding/photo) stuff I was bringing with me.

Cheers
Tord

Thanks Tord.

The scope is too long to have as hand luggage, so I disassemble it and only have the glass part with me in the hand luggage. Rest of the tube and focuser goes in the suit case, along with the tripod/gimbal/walking stool.

I had the e-m1 as well as the e-m5 (as backup and two lens kit) a 7,5mm Laowa, the 60mm zuiko macro and the 75-300mm. )